ASK IRA: How far can scrappy moments such as Saturday carry the Heat?

Q: As scrappy and lovable as this "win by committee" Heat team can be, we all know most playoff series are won by the team with the star player(s). How far do you think this team can go if they don't move some assets for a new franchise face? -- Orlando, Hialeah.

A: In the regular season? Contending for homecourt in the first round of the playoffs. In the playoffs? Possibly to a competitive conclusion in the second round, with a puncher's chance at the conference finals. That, of course, falls short of the stated goal of Pat Riley, which is why there almost has to be a follow-up move, either at the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline or in the offseason, if the Heat can find a willing partner. We've already seen enough games to recognize that against the most competitive defenses, closing time can be a challenge, with Saturday's decisive sequence a big frazzled. Just as Erik Spoelstra preaches a relentless pursuit of excellence on the court, the expectation has to be the same from the front office. These players are mostly giving it all they have, and, still, there were the Heat with an all-or-nothing moment at the end of the fourth quarter against a Hornets team playing on the second night of a back-to-back set.

A: Technically, sort of. This whole "NBA days" thing on two-way contracts needs some sort of review. Basically, as players get closer to their 45-day limits of NBA service, teams have started getting creative, calling practice days something otherwise and rerouting players during travel periods. I still believe the more significant number for the Heat are the seven NBA days that Derrick Jones Jr. has remaining, rather than the five for Walton. I'm not necessarily sure that Walton is a player of the future for the Heat. I believe Jones could have such potential, especially with most of the Heat's upcoming draft picks dealt elsewhere. It will be interesting to see how the Heat massage Jones' remaining NBA allowance in advance of the Feb. 8 trading deadline, when's possible that the Heat clear A.J. Hammons' roster spot through either a trade or outright release.

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Q: Brandon Jennings wants to make an NBA comeback after his contract is up in China, I think he could be the answer for the backup point guard we need. What do you think Ira? -- Daniel, Miami.

A: Too much of a score-first mentality. The preference here would be a get-them-into offense veteran. That will make the buyout deadline intriguing, to see if a veteran sacrifices salary in order to get to a playoff team. Of course, it also will be interesting to see if the Heat can create a roster spot at the trading deadline. There still is time for Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson or Josh Richardson to show they can handle such minutes in the absence of Goran Dragic. Winslow did a nice job in that respect Saturday. But as a playoff-game closer? That's another story.